Repurposing our Purpose: Returning to the Truth of Who We Are
When we are no longer able to change a situation-we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Viktor Frankl
Life is full of change and uncertainty, and often things do not go as planned. Whether it is a career setback, a personal crisis, grief, or simply feeling stuck, it can be difficult to know how to move forward. However, it is possible to repurpose ourselves and redirect our focus, even in the face of challenges.
Discovering your soul’s purpose is one of the most profound and life-changing journeys you can undertake. Your purpose is more than just a career or a role; it is the essence of who you are and why you are here in this world. It represents the unique gifts, passions, and desires that your higher self wants to express in the physical world.
When you are aligned with your soul’s purpose, you live a life replete with fulfillment, joy, and a deep sense of meaning. However, finding this path often requires introspection, self-love, and living authentically.
Soul’s Purpose
Our soul’s purpose is not just a job title or a lofty goal — it is the unique essence of who we are and why we are here, expressed through our gifts, values, and the way we show up in the world. It is the deeper orientation that persists even when passion fades or grief overwhelms, and it can be as simple as bringing kindness to others or as expansive as creating beauty for the world. When we commit to the yoga practice of Sadhana, we create a foundation to support our soul’s purpose.
Sadhana is a Sanskrit word that translates to “accomplishing” or “performing.” Some teachers describe it as “going straight to the goal.” Rather than seeing sadhana as a goal, I like to think of sadhana as the foundation for our soul’s purpose and our transformation. Sadhana refers to the daily spiritual practice that cultivates self-awareness, discipline, and connection to one’s higher consciousness. In yogic philosophy, it is the bridge between the individual and the infinite — the consistent, mindful effort that transforms everyday life into a path of awakening. In other words, it is action taken to cultivate our awareness of our Self and our soul’s purpose. Sadhana (Sanskrit: साधना) refers to a methodical, daily practice undertaken to achieve a spiritual or personal goal.
At its core, sadhana can be viewed as self-effort — the disciplined, daily commitment to align our thoughts, emotions, and actions with the highest truth. It represents surrendering the small self, or ego, to something greater — God, the universal consciousness, the Self, or pure awareness. It may include bible study, Sunday school, and Church. It may be playing a sport, taking a walk or in the yogic traditions, it includes a spectrum of practices designed to purify the body, calm the mind, and awaken inner stillness. These may include asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, chanting, self-study, and selfless service (seva). Each element of sadhana works synergistically to support physical vitality, emotional balance, and mental clarity. When we use these tools to help us anchor, ground, and root, we clear the pathway for our soul’s purpose to evolve and shine.
Repurpose
Repurposing ourselves means observing our mindset, life direction, and perhaps skills, to align with new circumstances and the ebb and flow of life. It is not about starting from nothing, but about mindfully reassessing our current situation and adapting what we already have into something even more valuable and fulfilling.
Reflect and Clarify Your Vision
What no longer serves me and what do I no longer need in my life?
What values, skills, or passions do I want to focus on?
Where do I see myself in the next few months? Years?
What individuals or groups do I want around me to support my inner wellbeing?
Use self-reflection, or tools like a “wellness wheel,” journaling, or a vision board to identify gaps and opportunities.
Declutter the mind through meditation, Labyrinth walks, and mindfulness.
Reflect on Your Soul’s Purpose
Examine your passions and patterns in life.
Who am I?
Why am I here in this situation, in this space, in this moment?
What brings me joy?
Remember who you are: What are my gifts, values, and how do I want to show up in the world —for me?
Reflect on your past experiences—career, hobbies, volunteer work—and note skills you can apply elsewhere. For example, teaching high school can translate into transferable skills that are grouped into categories such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability, and they are highly valued in many professional and personal settings.
Remember to always consider how you want to BE in the world.
Break Old Habits and Mindsets
Stopping activities or roles that no longer fit.
Adopting new routines and perspectives.
Taking calculated risks to evaluate new paths.
Decluttering the mind by practicing strategies like meditation, journaling, prioritizing tasks, limiting exposure to social media and news, and exercising regularly.
Discovering a regular practice (sadhana) of meditation, prayer, yoga, chanting, self-study, exercise such as yoga asana, fishing, surfing that motivates you, and breathing exercises (pranayama) that anchor you in who you are.
Reimagine and Pivot
Great hunters and fishermen use a stormy day to sharpen their spears and mend their nets so they can be far more effective when the storm clears. Take time to relax, reflect, imagine, and pivot.
Reimagining your life’s purpose means moving beyond the idea of a single, fixed “calling” and instead seeing the soul’s purpose as a living, evolving thread woven into the tapestry of your values, passions, strengths, and contributions to others.
Reflect on your soul’s purpose. Remember, many people think their purpose is a grand, career‑based goal — like changing the world or becoming famous. But as psychologists note, your true soul’s purpose is the intersection of what you love doing, what you are naturally good at, and how it serves others (seva—selfless service). It is the “why” behind your daily actions, not just the “what” you do.
Reimagine your purpose as a dynamic, personal compass — rooted in your values, fueled by your passions, and shaped by your contributions to others. This approach fosters resilience, happiness, and a longer, healthier life.
Love & light
Jeanne